Please give me any and all advice you can.

I already know that I will be getting up to walk as soon as possible.

Do I need to avoid food for a few days after or before?

Will they make me do a bowel prep like they do with other surgeries?

I only have 2 weeks left if even!!

I just can't believe you're having a baby. Why you're still a young un' in my mind! It's amazing that you all grow up (while I stay the exact same <mental> age - 15).

You just make sure you post pics as soon as you're able, hear?

You won't believe how much fun you're going to be having. Or believe how much you can love another little human. Better than puppies even. You'll have a ball!!!!

kathy

When I had my c-section, it was not planned, but after 12 hours of labor and it was discovered my boy was in frank breech position. Obviously, no bowel prep or diet before hand. I was up walking that evening and I had my son rooming in the following morning. Piece of cake.

Basically, for a planned one, I would imagine they would ask for nothing by mouth after midnight, just in case they have to do a general anesthetic. Since the intestines are not entered, there is no need for a bowel prep.

Jan

You are right Jan - on a planned c-section, only prep is nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night before.

Hey Missa,

Best of luck to you!

I was not allowed to eat anything after 10 the night before. No bowel prep needed.

I got water and ice chips later that day, if you do make sure to drink/eat them you'll feel better.

As far as food afterwards, I was on a liquid diet for a few days, but when I was able to eat real food I just took it slow.

If you read my other post, I'd bring a print out of the description of the j-pouch, I had a lot of nurses asking about it. I didn't mind talking about it, but it did get annoying telling every nurse the details, esp. in the middle of the night.

For sure this was the easiest of the surgeries to recover from for me. I hope it is the same for you.

Do you know what you are having?

Enjoy!!

I'm having a boy! My husband and I are so excited!
Thank you for the advice. I was scared of having to take a bowel prep.
I'll be sure to take it easy on the food afterward (to avoid gas pains..etc...)
Kathy, time does go by very quickly. I'm 25 now! It feels like just yesterday (it was more like 10 years ago), I had my last surgery for UC.
I honestly cannot wait to meet my little guy and if I figure out how to post pics of him, I will definitely do that!

Hi there!

When are they palnning your c-section? Mine is booked in for a week before my due date. I'm a little worried about going into labour before that.....

Missa,

I felt so good after my c-section that I breastfed, took a shower and walked a little. I think I did too much too soon. I also started eating and drinking normal foods way too early. My advice would be that no matter how good you feel, stay on clear liquids for a few days. I didn't realize how long it would take for everything to start working again and I ended up throwing up.

Also, on a side note, I was so tired. They kept trying to get me to put the baby in the nursery but I wouldn't. I didn't sleep much at all and it made my recovery worse. If I could do it over again I'd put her in the nursery at night so I could get sleep and regain my strength. It's amazingly hard to recover from a surgery (even though it was a much easier surgery than the J-pouch ones) and then to have to take care of a baby.

Please be good to yourself and take it slow.

RS- it is important for the baby to develop enough before birth. If you go into labor, they can still do the c-section. There nearly always is plenty of time. Just don't dilly dally getting to the hospital if you think you are in labor.

Jan

I've had two kids recently and two c-sections. No problems with the c-sections; they are a walk in the park after UC and jpouch surgeries.

Unlike the others, I did have bowel prep for my first child. Why? My Jpouch surgeon came to my c-section to have a look at how the jpouch was healing. We had determined previously that if there was any cause for concern that he would then and there perform any necessary remedial surgery.

By the sound of things, this won't be your situation.

Best of luck, alana